Taiwanese gets life for drug possession

MANILA, Philippines - A Taiwanese national was sentenced to life imprisonment in Parañaque City for possession of nearly 10 kilograms of shabu in 2008.

Judge Danilo Suarez of the Parañaque City Regional Trial Court Brnch 259 found Chih Chien Yang alias Jeff Yang guilty of violating Section 11, Article 2 of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

Chih also ordered to pay a fine of P1 million.

Police seized 9.9 kilograms of shabu during a raid at Chih's house at the Multinational Village on Apr. 19, 2008.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) chief Arturo Cacdac said the Taiwanese's conviction was an "ultimate yardstick of victory."

“The favorable rulings of the court on drug cases put the finishing touches to the efforts of law enforcement officers who risk life and limb in arresting drug personalities," Cacdac said.

The court decision came amid the rising tensions between the Philippines and Taiwan due the killing of a Taiwanese fisherman off Batanes last week.